New boat to me and probably didnt have much attention for the past 5 years. I had a loose swim step and cured that problem with the help of many here. put the boat in the water and found water in the bilge the next day which when pumped out took about 10-15 seconds to complete. Started tightening all the through hull nuts and found many very loose. Pulled the boat out of the water and tightened everything. Caulked around the fins and water intake from the underside. Caulked around the rudder fitting and when she was back in the water I still have water finding its way in but much less. I am thinking about taking her out again and filling the bilge to see where the water might be coming in from. I did use 5200 on the bolts for my swim step brackets.. they appear very tight. Any similar problems or thoughts about cures out there? Thanks.

Maybe leaking around the stuffing box, the aluminum piece bonded to the hull that the shaft passes through. It's epoxied and then covered in fiberglass but numerous examples on TT of boats leaking right here...mine included: http://www.mastercraft.com/teamtalk/...ad.php?t=54563

Thanks guys for your responses. I took out the back seat, back cover and tried to find where the water is coming in from. At first I thought it was swim step supports.. recently replaced and it may be to some degree.. They were caulked with 5200 and Im pulling the boat to recaulk them this weekend. All the other locations have been checked and nothing. I sponged the bilge dry and saw water coming in from around the rudder. caulked inside and out as well as bolts and nuts. I can leave the boat in our slip at night and have 10-12 seconds of water bilged in the morning. Looked at the mufflers.. dry. I am really stumped.. its not a lot of water but it drives me nuts. Packing nut is brand new and professionally installed. How much water if any.. do you guys get in your boat?
thanks.

Thanks guys for your responses. I took out the back seat, back cover and tried to find where the water is coming in from. At first I thought it was swim step supports.. recently replaced and it may be to some degree.. They were caulked with 5200 and Im pulling the boat to recaulk them this weekend. All the other locations have been checked and nothing. I sponged the bilge dry and saw water coming in from around the rudder. caulked inside and out as well as bolts and nuts. I can leave the boat in our slip at night and have 10-12 seconds of water bilged in the morning. Looked at the mufflers.. dry. I am really stumped.. its not a lot of water but it drives me nuts. Packing nut is brand new and professionally installed. How much water if any.. do you guys get in your boat?
thanks.

Be careful when removing something that has 5200 on it. 5200 will take Gelcoat with it when you remove the brackets. Use a razor to cut it loose before you pull it off.

Until you figure things out, you might want to get an automatic bilge; one that will pump when the water gets to a certain level. It's good to have anyway if you are leaving your boat in the water for extended periods of time.

It's the driveshaft, most likely. I have an 84 s&s and I always have water in the bilge. That driveshaft seal can get old and start to seep more than it should. It is normal to get some water coming in but not much. I wired up my automatic bilge and it comes on a few times a day when I leave it in the water all day. I wouldn't worry too much about it, but maybe have the seal replaced if it makes you feel better.